Biography.guide
Home › People › Philanthropist › Anna Scripps Whitcomb
Portrait of Anna Scripps Whitcomb

Anna Scripps Whitcomb

1866 – 1953

US horticulturist and philanthropist

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Anna Scripps Whitcomb

Lived 1866 – 1953 (aged 87). Anna Scripps Whitcomb was an American philanthropist, horticulturist and art collector.

Anna Scripps Whitcomb (March 5, 1866 – March 28, 1953) was an American philanthropist. She was the daughter of The Detroit News founder James E. Scripps.

She was an avid gardener and art collector. After her husband died in 1930 she became specialized in orchidiae. At her death she bequeathed her art collection to the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it is known as the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar B. Whitcomb. She had previously donated Correggio's Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine in memory of her father, who had also been a museum founder. In April 1955 she gave her 600 orchids collection to Belle Isle Conservatory, which was therefore renamed in her honor on April 6, 1955. Many of these exotic orchids had been saved from Britain throughout World War II.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Also known as
Mrs. Edgar B. Whitcomb, Anna Scripps, Anna Virginia Scripps

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Anna Scripps Whitcomb's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Anna Scripps Whitcomb?

US horticulturist and philanthropist (1866-1953)

When was Anna Scripps Whitcomb born?

Anna Scripps Whitcomb was born on 5 March 1866 in Detroit.

When did Anna Scripps Whitcomb die?

Anna Scripps Whitcomb died on 28 March 1953 in Detroit.

What was Anna Scripps Whitcomb's occupation?

Anna Scripps Whitcomb was a philanthropist, horticulturist and art collector.

What nationality was Anna Scripps Whitcomb?

Anna Scripps Whitcomb was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Anna Scripps Whitcomb

· Wikidata: Q84056369

· DBpedia: Anna Scripps Whitcomb

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Anna Scripps Whitcomb. https://biography.guide/anna-scripps-whitcomb/

MLA: "Anna Scripps Whitcomb." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/anna-scripps-whitcomb/.

Chicago: "Anna Scripps Whitcomb." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/anna-scripps-whitcomb/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:14 UTC